Parkrun re-opens after lockdown

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The easing of the lockdown restrictions by President Cyril Ramaphosa has opened the door for parkrunners in Graaff-Reinet to once again tackle the scenic mountain drive route on Saturday 7 Augustus.

Word from Kim Spencer Primic, the event director of the Mountain Drive Parkrun, is that they got the go-ahead to re-open for the weekly run.

Parkruns are free, weekly community events all around the world. There are 219 events around South Africa which probably makes it the biggest weekly sporting event.

Parkrun events are over 5k and take place on Saturday morning in parks and open spaces. Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.

Another regular runner and volunteer is Danie Jackson.

Registration is completely free and only needs to be done once. Registration is not mandatory. However, a strict "no printed barcode - no result" policy applies. Those who are not registered will still be able to participate but will not receive a running-time result.

Kim says she would like to see more people participating in the parkrun and extends an open invitation to anyone who would like to join in on the fun.

The parkrun starts at 08:00 in winter.

Old and young, like Inge van Rooyen here, take part in the weekly parkrun.

Wilma van Rooyen jogging downhill at the last Mountain Drive parkrun before lockdown restrictions were imposed four weeks ago. Photos: Hugo Redelinghuys